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LULLABIES AND 
SLUMBER SONGS 











LULLABIES AND 
SLUMBER SONGS 










WITH A FEW OTHER 
CHILD VERSES 

By 
LINCOLN HULLEY 

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR 
LEWISBURG, PA, : : J90J 



Library of Congress 


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Two Copies RECfwro 


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JAN 16 1901 


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Copyright entry 


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SECOND COPY 

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Copyright, 1900 
By LINCOLN HULLEY 



0@ount JOIea^ant J^rinterp 

J. Horace McFarland Company 
Harrisburg, Pa. 



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€loi0t a^a^Sam ^ttlltv 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Esquimau Lullaby i 

Sleep, Little Darling 3 

The Charmed Sleep 4 

The Water Babies' Lullaby 5 

The Little Moon Baby 7 

The Lark's Nesting Song 9 

Byloland 10 

The Poppy Garden 11 

Mammy's Little Honey Boy 13 

The Pixie Folk 15 

A Slumber Song 16 

Indian Lullaby 17 

Brother Ben 20 

A Fairy Lullaby 21 

"Born by Request" 23 

Going to London Town 24 

A Nesting Song 26 

The New Arrival 27 

Mother's Little Sunshine 28 

Dance, Fairies, Dance 30 

A Summer Night 31 

Off in the Country where Dreamland Lies . . 32 

The Bumble-Bee Babies 33 

The Sea of Sleep 35 

Childless 36 

Sleep, Baby, Sleep 37 

The Dream Ship 38 

The Coming of Night 39 

(vii) 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

A Lullaby 40 

Fisher's Lullaby 41 

Dance for Your Daddy 42 

The Stork 44 

A Nocturne 45 

Off in the Land of the Fairies 46 

Gypsy Lullaby 47 

The Sandman 48 

The New Born Babe 50 

A Story for Bedtime 51 

A Child's Dream 52 

The Lamb Outside the Fold 53 

Good and Bad Children's Dreams 55 

Return of the Dream Ship 56 

A Vesper Song 57 

An Invocation to Sleep 58 

The Land of Dreams 59 

Mother Goose 60 

The Fantastic World of Childhood. 

1. Shadow-land 62 

2. The Dream Country 63 

Sailor's Lullaby 64 

A Cradle Song 66 

An Eventide Song 67 

Matins 68 

An Old English Lullaby 69 

The Night Express 70 

A Good-night Pat 71 

Infancy 72 

The Little Flower Gatherer 73 

The Hour of Sleep 74 

A Close Resemblance 75 

(viii) 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

A Fairy Tale 76 

Little Cry-Baby 78 

A Mother Looking Forward and Backward . . 79 

Sing a Song of Bedtime 80 

Rock-a-bye, Hush-a-bye, Lull-a-bye .... 82 

Bye, Baby, Bye 83 

The Children's Prayer 84 

The Sleeping Beauty 85 

Little Bo-Peep 86 

The Old Nurse 88 

The Nest Cradle 89 

A Promise to Baby 90 

Putting the Baby to Sleep 91 

Waking Song 92 

In the Arms of Morpheus 93 

Mother's Wee Willie Winkie Lad 94 

A Twilight Song 95 

A Slumber Spell 96 

Off for Slumber Island . . 97 

Baby Bye 98 

Asleep 99 

The Voice of the Turtle 100 

The Night Ferryman 102 

The Restless Child 103 

An Orchard Nap 104 

A Nursery Lullaby 105 

A Visit to Sleepy Hollow. 

1. Getting Ready 106 

2. The Start 107 

3. The Journey 108 

4. Sleepy Hollow 108 

5. The Return 109 

(ix) 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Going to Bed . . 109 

A Poem with a Purr-puss iii 

Moon, Hide Your Light 112 

The Dream Tree 113 

Hush-a-bye 114 



(«) 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER 
SONGS 



ESQUIMAU LULLABY 

V\^RAPPED in the fur of bear or seal 

Close and warm, snug and warm, 
Journeying straight to the land of the leal 

Safe from harm, safe from harm, 
Born in the land of ice and snow, 
List to the song when the North winds 

blow, 
Sung to the dear Httle Esquimau, 
Snug and warm, safe and warm : 
"Blow, blow, cold winds, blow, 
Mother loveth her baby so, 
Blow, blow, oh, shout and blow! 
Sleep, little Esquimau." 

They speed from the place of the great 
North star, — 
Snug and warm, baby's warm. 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

They speed them away to a land afar ; 

Baby is snug and warm. 
With a terrible blast of their icy breath, 
They freeze up the land with the kiss of 

death, 
While these are the words that the mother 
saith 
In song to her baby warm : 
"Blow, blow, cold winds, blow, 
Mother loveth her baby so, 
Blow, blow, oh shout and blow ! 
Sleep, little Esquimau." 

With gruff, hoarse voice they bluster and 
blow : 
"Go to sleep, snug and warm." 
And the Esquimau mother sings soft and 
low : 
"Dream and sleep — snug and warm." 
Blow, ye winds, for woe or weal. 
Baby is snug in his skin of seal. 
And journeyeth safe to the land of the leal, 
Seal skin's warm — snug and warm : 
"Blow, blow, cold winds, blow. 
Mother loveth her baby so. 
Blow, blow, oh shout and blow ! 
Sleep, little Esquimau." 



SLEEP, LITTLE DARLING 



SLEEP, LITTLE DARLING 

CLEEP, little darling, the day is done; 
Darkness steals down from the dusky 
skies; 
Crickets are calling, the night dews are 
falling, 
And sleepy stars blink with their pretty 
bright eyes. 

Bluebells are tolling an elfin lay, 

Telling of dreamland and slumber sweet ; 

List to their chiming and rhythmical rhym- 
ing. 
Summer is golden and gladsome and fleet. 

See yonder fairy with bright gold wings 
Dance to the tune of his light guitar, 

Dance to the playing of merry maids saying, 
"Oh, what a pretty bright fairy you are!" 

Now in a circle they slowly wind, 

Swinging a cradle of light green moss. 

Swaying and swinging, oh, list to their 
singing. 
As over the cradle dream flowers they toss. 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

Moonbeams are woven in tangled webs, 

Veiling the mist in the baby's eyes; 
Slowly he's sinking, his drowsy eyes blink- 
ing, 
The zephyrs have borne him to dreamy 
skies. 



A CHARMED SLEEP 

XT'E Nymphs and Sprites of dale and 
^ hill, 

Come work your charms on baby Ben; 
Some drowsy soothing lotion spill, 

Such as ye find in wood and glen. 

Spin round his couch your magic webs, 
Then twist their ends round some strong 
bough ; 

And as he swings, and day slow ebbs, 
Chant round his rest a kindly vow. 

Waft to him soft some gentle breeze 
To lightly rock his cradle nest. 

That with the swaying of the trees 
His wakeful heart be lulled to rest. 



THE WATER BABIES' LULLABY 

Then on his forehead bind some spell 
That fairies learn to brew and steam, 

That it may soothe and charm him well, 
As slumber woos him with a dream. 

Then o'er his sleeping form let fall 

A coverlet of poppies red, 

And of your dream -flowers one and all, 

Entwine a wreath around his head. 



THE WATER BABIES' LULLABY 

"C^AR, far away in the depths of mid- 
ocean, 

The wee water babies are lulled by a 
potion 

Distilled by the sirens, whose beautiful sing- 
ing 

The Goddess of Sleep to their eyelids is 
bringing. 

Over the billows their music goes fly- 
ing, 

Wafted by winds that are singing and 
sighing. 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

And the song that they sing is the song 
of the sirens, 

In cadences sweUing through ocean's en- 
virons. 

The surf of the sea sings a song that is 

steady, 
A song that is haunting and ceaseless and 

ready, 
And it breaks on the ear in a musical 

treble. 
This song of the surf on the shore to each 

pebble. 

The little pink shells on the shore softly 

murmur 
A melody sweet that grows stronger and 

firmer, 
'Tis the very same song that the sirens are 

singing, 
Sending soft echoes through all the sea 

ringing. 

The fishermen's lads, as they lie on their 

pillows, 
Are charmed by the songs of the musical 

billows, 



THE LITTLE MOON BABY 

And fishermen's wives lull their dear little 

ladies, 
With lullabies sweet of the wee water 

babies. 

The gods of the sea wed the nymphs of 

the waters, 
The merry mermaids and the naiads their 

daughters. 
And the wee water babies bring honor and 

glory, 
And figure in every old sea song and 

story. 



THE LITTLE MOON BABY 

TLTAVE you ever heard of the man in 
the moon, 
Whose round tower house is on high? 
His wife is the woman who rode on the 
broom. 
The cobwebs to sweep from the sky. 
And a wee little toddler they have in their 
home, 
And a bonny wee cradle for him. 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

And they rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, rock-a- 
bye some, 
And they've a dipper and ladle for him. 

His cradle appears far away in the west, 

Just after the sun has gone down, 
A fine golden crescent to rock him to rest, 
When the lights have gone out in the 
town. 
And then in that cradle way up in the blue. 
Where the south wind blows soft through 
his hair. 
They rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye 
boo 
The baby consigned to their care. 

Oh! the man in the moon is a very fine 
man, 
His wife is a lady I know. 
But the very best thing — you may guess if 
you can — 
Is the little moon baby, heigh ho! 
He nestles himself in the cradle so neat. 

His cover is maidenhair fern, 
Then rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, 
sweet. 
But promise us soon to return. 



THE LARK S NESTING SONG 



THE LARK'S NESTING SONG 

TLJEIGH ho ! who cares for weather? 
Birds of a feather flocking together; 
Heigh ho ! under the heather 
Meadow larks love to build. 

Hark to the lark, to the lark in the 
meadow ! 
Sunshine or rain her building goes on, 
Singing with joy to her mate of their treas- 
ures, 
Saying, "The children will find us at 
home." 

Heigh ho ! who cares for weather ? 

Birds of a feather flocking together ; 
Heigh ho ! under the heather 
Meadow larks love to build. 

Near to the window a mother is crooning 

Lullabies sweet to her baby boy ; 
She nestles the little one close to her 
bosom 
The while she is hearing the meadow 
lark's joy. 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

Heigh ho ! who cares for weather ? 

Birds of a feather flocking together ; 
Heigh ho ! under the heather 
Meadow larks love to build. 



BYLOLAND 

OWING in your hammock to Byloland, 

Byloland, Byloland; 
Swinging and swaying to Byloland, 

Gently, slowly av/ay. 
The day's far spent and the night is at 

hand. 
We're now on the border of Byloland, 
Where the pretty wood fairies will wave 
their wand, 

In Byloland. 

Floating and drifting to Byloland, 

Byloland, Byloland; 
Lulled in his hammock to Byloland, 

Softly, surely away, 
Like a lonely cloud on a summer sky. 
Or mild sea winds when the moon is high, 
So goeth our dear little baby bye 

To Byloland. 



THE POPPY GARDEN 

Rocked in his hammock to Byloland, 

Byloland, Byloland; 
Smiling and dreaming in Byloland, 

Loved by a fairy fay. 
The bells of Elfland are tolling a lay, 
The very same one that the fairies play. 
On the bluebell's rim ere the break of 
day, 

In Byloland. 



THE POPPY GARDEN 

A BEAUTIFUL garden, the garden of 
sleep, 
Is growing, is blooming. 
Its gateway is sacred, its avenues deep. 
The trailing ground laurels all over it 

creep, 
While pretty dream fairies their night vigils 
keep 
Over the dream flowers blooming. 

When Morpheus prepares to receive all his 
guests 
So softly and slowly, 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

When singing birds cuddle them down in 

their nests, 
And marybuds wearily nod on their breasts, — 
The poppies then open their gay colored 
vests 
So meekly and lowly. 

Then children go down to the garden at 
night 
Right merrily singing. 

They come to the flowers so richly be- 
dight, 

And gaily they garland them in the moon- 
light ; 

They weave in a chaplet of dream flowers 
bright 
All tenderly clinging. 

While other wee maidens encompassed with 
care 
Are pining and weeping, 
Go gather me poppies to weave in thy 

hair, 
The poppies that grow in the garden out 

there 
The drowsiest, sleepiest poppies, my Fair — 
Speak softly, she's sleeping. 

12 



mammy's little honey boy 



MAMMY'S LITTLE HONEY BOY 

T ITTLE nigger baby on his mammy's 
black breast, 
Mammy's little honey boy. 
Fightin' with the sandman, does his level 
best, 
Mammy's little honey boy. 
Mammy's gwine to eat you cause you's 

just molasses sweet, 
Mammy's sweet persimmon you, guess you 

can't be beat, 
Eyes a-battin' — teeth a-shinin' — my, but 
you is neat! 
Mammy's little honey boy. 

Daddy's on a coon hunt, — love him, 'deed 
I do. 

Mammy's little honey boy, 
Bring us home some 'possum meat, coon 
meat, too, 

Mammy's little honey boy. 
Squinch owl hootin' in the big black wood. 
Coon dog a-barkin' hke a coon dog should. 
Bogie man '11 catch you if you don't be good. 

Mammy's little honey boy. 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

Pickaninny kickin' in his corn husk bed, 

Mammy's little honey boy. 
Folks '11 think you's Irish, kinky woolly 
head, 
Mammy's little honey boy. 
Rollin* in the dirt on the old sandy 

floor, 
Eatin' hunks of johnny cake at the cabin 

door, 
Dodgin' in the bushes when a-runnin' from 
the boar, 
Mammy's little honey boy. 

Little nigger baby is asleep on mammy's 
breast, 
Mammy's little honey boy. 
Mammy's colored cherub is a-dreamin' of 
the blest. 
Mammy's little honey boy. 
Chasin' round the cotton fields in the land 

of dreams, 
Hears the banjo pickin' and he knows just 

what it means, 
Climbin' up to glory on some wabbly sun- 
beams. 
Mammy's little honey boy. 



THE PIXIE FOLK 



THE PIXIE FOLK 



'T'HE Pixie people live up in the skies, 
They are pale and pretty and very 
w^ise, 
And they like little children with bright 
blue eyes, 
And are kind and good to them. 



They pitch their tents by the Milky 

Way; 
They dance dow^n the lane with the fairy 

fay ; 
They dance and they sing till the break of 

day — 
Don't you want to go look at them ? 

'Neath the shimmer and sheen of the pale 

moonlight, 
'Neath the silent stars with their golden 

light, 
You may see all these folk on a summer 

night, 
If you keep a good watch for them. 

15 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

Then oS to the skies, and — oh, please say 

for me 
That I want them to give sweet dreams 

to thee ! 
And then, dear, return to the earth and 

be 
Very good to me and them. 



A SLUMBER SONG 



/^OME, little bird, with the rich full 
note, 

Trill for the baby your sweetest lay; 
Trill, little bird, trill, little bird. 

Trill for him all the day. 

Come, little bee, with the deep low hum, 
Buzz for the baby a good bass song; 

Buzz, little bee, buzz, little bee. 
Buzz to him low and long. 

Come, little bell, with the silver ring. 
Toll for the baby some fairy rune ; 

Toll, little bell, toll, little bell. 
Toll him your softest tune. 

z6 



INDIAN LULLABY 



Come, little girl, with the gentle voice, 
Sing to the baby some lullaby; 

Sing, little girl, sing, little girl, 
Sing to our baby-bye. 



INDIAN LULLABY 

T^EEP in the forest an Indian mother 
^^^ Croons to her baby boy. 
Tells him a tale of the wildly strange wood 
life, 
Fills his young heart with wild joy. 
Screech of the night owl, whine of the 

panther. 
Hiss of the serpent, scream of the goose — 
Scare not your red friend, dusky-skinned 
brother, 
Indian's brave young papoose. 

Near to the tent door Great Hawk is 
sleeping. 
Dreaming of war and the chase, 
Great Hawk, the hunter and terrible war- 
rior. 
Bravest and best of his race. 



17 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

Screech of the night owl, whine of the 

panther, 
Hiss of the serpent, scream of the goose — 
Scare not your red friend, dusky-skinned 

brother, 
Indian's brave young papoose. 

Down through the pine tops shines the soft 
moonlight. 
Papoose swings under the trees; 
Papoose is wondering what means the 
moonlight. 
What secret whispers the breeze. 
Screech of the night owl, whine of the 

panther. 
Hiss of the serpent, scream of the 

goose — 
Scare not your red friend, dusky-skinned 
brother, 
Indian's brave young papoose. 

Far in the deep woods wild wolves are 
barking, 
Sleep, little papoose, oh, sleep ! 
Over the moon's face storm clouds are dark- 
ling, 
Over the papoose comes sleep. 

i8 



INDIAN LULLABY 

Screech of the night owl, whine of the 

panther, 
Hiss of the serpent, scream of the goose — 
Scare not your red friend, dusky -skinned 

brother, 
Indian's brave young papoose. 

Thunder, O black sky ! flash, flash, ye 
lightnings ! 
Papoose knows nothing of fear ; 
Clouds with the rain drops, tell, tell your 
anguish ! 
Papoose shall not shed a tear. 
Screech of the night owl, whine of the 

panther. 
Hiss of the serpent, scream of the 

goose — 
Scare not your red friend, dusky -skinned 
brother, 
Indian's brave young papoose. 

Swayed by the breezes, papoose is dream- 
ing, 
Lone Wolf has crooned him to rest, 
Lone Wolf, the mother, lies under his ham- 
mock, 
Sleeping, yet guarding the nest. 

19 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

Screech of the night owl, whine of the 

panther, 
Hiss of the serpent, scream of the goose — 
Scare not your red friend, dusky -skinned 

brother, 
. Indian's brave young papoose. 



BROTHER BEN 

5 A.M. 

T_TE'S a noisy little boy, brother Ben. 

He's as dainty as a toy, brother Ben. 

He's a merry, merry laugher, 

He's a jolly, jolly chafier, 
He's a funny, funny gafifer, brother Ben. 

9 A. M. 

He's a thirsty little boy, brother Ben. 

He's as hungry as a bear, brother Ben. 
He's a pesky little teaser. 
He could eat an ice-cream freezer, 

He's as bold as Julius Caesar, brother Ben. 

12 NOON 

He's a dirty little boy, brother Ben. 

He's no longer mother's joy, brother Ben. 

20 



A FAIRY LULLABY 

He's been playing in the puddle 
Till his clothes are in a muddle, 
He's too dirty now to cuddle, brother Ben. 

4 P. M. 

He's a bossy little boy, brother Ben. 

He's beginning to annoy, brother Ben. 
He's his father's little codger, 
He's his mother's artful dodger. 

He's a very welcome lodger, brother Ben. 

7 P. M. 

He's a tired little boy, brother Ben. 

He's a drowsy little boy, brother Ben. 
He has lost his love of frolic. 
He must have a spell of colic, 

Here, a dose of "palegolic," brother Ben. 



A FAIRY LULLABY 

A PRETTY young fairy got ready to 
•^^ sleep. 

As all pretty fairies should do. 
He gave to his mother his treasures to 
keep — 
This fairy was pretty, like you. 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

He climbed just as fast as his little legs 

could, 
And cuddled him down where the sleeping 

was good, 
He did just exactly what all fairies 

would, 
And delighted his mother, too. 

She hugged him and cooed him and prom- 
ised to keep 
A watch on his treasures so rare; 
Then sang to him softly and rocked him 
to sleep. 
And smoothed back his light golden 
hair. 
And there, on the edge of a bright fairy 

sea, 
She lulled him to rest with a sweet 

melody. 
That lingered in mind like a dear memory, 
To soften his childish care. 

And now mother's darling should lay down 
his head, 

And pillow it safe on her breast. 
He's tired and sleepy and ready for bed. 

So settle right down in his nest. 



"born by request" 

The fairies will dance with their fairy queen, 
And no one shall know what the baby has 

seen ; 
The fairies have found him and love him, 

I ween; 
I'll lay him down here to rest. 



"BORN BY REQUEST" 

/^ CHILD of the ancient promise 

That "twain shall become one flesh," 
His soul and my soul united, 

Caught in this dainty rose mesh; 
Fashioned in silence and darkness, 

Awaiting the day of the Lord; 
Springing to life in a moment 

When speaks the Eternal Word; 

Thine eyes with the crystal lenses, 

Their curtains uphung in the dark; 
Thy resonant chords for music 

Surpassing the meadow lark; 
Thine ear with its delicate fittings. 

And the drum set in behind, — 
Were wrought in the silent chambers 

Of the deaf and the dumb and the blind! 

23 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

O child of the future promise 

To blossom and bud and bloom, 
To rise in the strength of Jehovah, 

To bring the Lord's joy for gloom; 
Welcome, thrice welcome, thine advent, 

Since that thou v^^ast born by request, 
Pledge of a love that is endless, 

Devoted and happy and blest! 

Sprung from the womb of a woman. 

From out of the weak the strong; 
Go forth in the might of Elijah? 

To battle for right against wrong. 
The scepter of love be thy scepter, 

Thy mandates speed swift upon wings; 
Though humble and lowly thy coming, 

Thou shalt one day be crowned among 
kings. 



GOING TO LONDON TOWN 

A S I was going to London town 

On a great big stone I sat me down. 
And watched the people that passed me by. 
Who carried such loads it made me cry. 

H 



GOING TO LONDON TOWN 

One was tired and stopped to rest; 
Another was sleepy, so sleep was best. 
By the side of the road they laid them 

down, 
The way was weary to London town. 

I counted the men of great renown 
Who journeyed the way to London town ; 
Some lost their money and some their 

fame. 
And each of them quite forgot his name. 

I counted the men who lagged behind, 
So weary they were they soon grew blind; 
Their loads were heavy, they all bowed 

down 
Before they arrived at London town. 

Some were arrayed in cap and gown. 
Trudging along to London town. 
Their steps grew slower and still more slow, 
Until not a man could further go. 

How many men can you count, let's see, — 
"Five and a dozen make nearly three"? 
You must be sleepy, so, dear, go down 
Along with the rest to London town. 

25 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 



A NESTING SONG 

npWO happy robins are building a nest, 

Talking and singing of summer, 
Gathering grasses and twigs that are best, 
Meet for their home in the summer. 
Then O for the joys of the midsummer 

days, 
For the babes 'neath the midsummer skies, 
And O for the calm of a midsummer eve. 
And the warble of bird lullabies ! 

Over the meadows they scurry with haste — 
Welcome, thrice welcome, the summer! — 
Their hearts all a-flutter, no moment to 

waste, 
For days speed away into summer. 

Then O for the joys of the midsummer 

days. 
For the babes 'neath the midsummer skies, 
And O for the calm of a midsummer eve, 
And the warble of bird lullabies ! 

Winging and singing they never take rest, — 
Always a song of the summer ! — 
Round as a barrel they fashion their nest, 
Open on top to the summer. 

26 



THE NEW ARRIVAL 

Then O for the joys of the midsummer 

days, 
For the babes 'neath the midsummer skies, 
And O for the calm of a midsummer eve, 
And the warble of bird lullabies ! 

Autumn has come and the young ones have 
fled, 

And gone is the gladness of summer; 

The light and the glory of nesting have sped. 

But memory stays of the summer. 

Then O for the joys of the midsummer days. 
For the babes 'neath the midsummer skies. 
And O for the calm of a midsummer eve, 
And the warble of bird lullabies ! 



THE NEW ARRIVAL 

T'M a pilgrim, and Tin a stranger, 
I am weary, I am tired, let me sleep. 
Oh, such a journey ! 
The angels led me ; 
The night was darkness ; 
And I am spent — 
I'm a pilgrim and I'm a stranger, 
I would tarry, I would tarry for the night. 
27 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

I'm a pilgrim, and I'm a stranger, 

I am weary, let me tarry for the night. 

I have no name, sir ; 

I came from nowhere ; 

I have no comrades ; 

None know me here — 
I'm a pilgrim, and I'm a stranger, 
Let me tarry, let me tarry for the night. 

I'm a pilgrim, and I'm a stranger, 

I am sleepy, I would tarry for the night. 

What did you say, sir ? 

I'm very welcome ? 

You have a name, too ? 

And I may stay ? 
I'm a pilgrim, and I'm a stranger, 
I shall tarry, then, shall tarry many a night. 



MOTHER'S LITTLE SUNSHINE 

pJO! Fairies, here comes a wee worn 

pilgrim. 
He's drowsy and tired, so be good to him; 
Open your palace gates wide to him, 
And let my dear Sunshine in. 

2% 



MOTHER'S LITTLE SUNSHINE 

He has been on the outs such a long, long 

while, 
And his head nods now, and he'll hardly 

smile, 
And he cried just a bit, — say you will on trial 
Let my nice Sunshine in? 

Oh! Fairies, you don't know how good 

he is, 
Nor how much you would pay for one hug 

of his, 
Nor how full of sweet wine is one baby kiss ; 
Won't you let my Sunshine in? 

Like morning dews were the tears in his 

eyes, 
And his bosom heaved with the deepest of 

sighs, 
But now merry dimples and smiles arise, 
So please let my Sunshine in. 

There he goes through the gates to the 

bright sunland, 
Like a ray of light from the rainbow's band, 
And he holdeth our hearts in his tiny sweet 

hand. 
Now my dear Sunshine's in. 

29 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 



DANCE, FAERIES, DANCE 

TTNDER the light of the silvery moon, 

Dance, faeries, dance. 
Dance to a frolicsome rhythmical rune, 

Dance, faeries, Dance. 
The Faeries circle around their queen 
And dance together upon the green 
With many a courtesy low, I ween. 

Dance, faeries, dance. 

The fireflies flit over forest and field, 

Dance, faeries, dance. 
Each carries a lantern 'neath wing con- 
cealed, 

Dance, faeries, dance. 
With footfalls light on the grassy ground, 
The faeries scamper and race around, 
And merrily skipping they leap and bound. 

Dance, faeries, dance. 

The fireflies lend such a glimmer and glow, 

Dance, faeries, dance. 
They zigzag over the dancers slow. 

Dance, faeries, dance. 



A SUMMER NIGHT 

When children asleep in their beds are 

seen, 
The faeries flutter and dance between, 
In a kind of mythical mystical sheen. 
Dance, faeries, dance. 



A SUMMER NIGHT 



CILENT night, peaceful night, 
Still shine on, stars of light; 
Hushed are the winds of the summer night, 
Soft fall the dews of the starry night, 
While the storm king is sleeping. 

Lovely night, starry night, 
Soft and clear, clear and bright, 
Sweet is the peace of the pale moonlight, 
Mild is the shine of the soft starlight, 
While the calm earth is sleeping. 

Hail, O night, glorious night, 
Restful, fair, balmy, bright! 
Gentle and still is the calm old night. 
Tender and kind is the good old night, 
While the wood life is sleeping. 

31 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

Holy night, sacred night, 
Sleep and dream, soft and light; 
Slumber is sweet in the tranquil night, 
Potent the spell of the moon to-night, 
While our sweet boy is sleeping. 



OFF IN THE COUNTRY WHERE 
DREAMLAND LIES 

/^FF in the country where dreamland lies 
^^^ Baby shall have a new dolly. 
Yonder the little ones bake mud pies, 

Oh, but their playing is jolly! 
They swing and they swing till the swing 
gives out. 

Dear httle, sweet little Cherie, 
They laugh and they chatter, they shout 
and they shout; 

Never were children so merry. 

Off to the country where dreamland lies 
Mother will lead her wee lady. 

Talk to her, sing to her sweet lullabies,— 
Never was there such a baby. 

32 



THE BUMBLE-BEE BABIES 

They scamper, they frolic the whole forenoon, 
The children out there are so happy; 

They play Mother Hubbard and Man in 
the Moon, 
Who never had any grandpappy. 

Off in the country where dreamland lies 

Babies are sweeter than honey, 
Drawn by a tandem of swift fairy flies, 

My, but these people are funny! 
Their children, the prettiest, tiniest tots. 

Will dance till they nearly go crazy; 
Then sleep in the queerest and sweetest 
of cots 

Off in the mist land so hazy. 



THE BUMBLE-BEE BABIES 

^ I ^HE bumble-bee babies are busy young 
bees. 
Wherever sweet honey is found, 
Out in the clover they're working to-day, 
Buzzing and booming around. 
Oh, isn't it funny 
To gather sweet honey 

c 33 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

In clover fields sunny — buzz, buzz! 

They look around slyly, 

They seem a bit wily, 

And answer up dryly — buzz, buzz ! 

But bumble-bee babies get tired at last, 

And drowsy dive down to their hive. 
They mumble a lullaby soft to themselves. 
So happy to know they're alive. 

They say, "It is funny 

To gather sweet honey 

In clover fields sunny — buzz, buzz ! 

To store it up gaily 

And sip at it daily 

May seem a bit scaly — buzz, buzz!" 

Then bumble-bee babies go dreaming all 
night, 
Of clover fields blooming by day. 
Of sunshine and shadow and honey cups full, 
To cheer bumble-bees on their way. 
Oh, isn't it funny 
To gather sweet honey 
In dreams that are sunny — buzz, buzz! 
To grow up so wealthy 
In ways that are stealthy, — 
It's a life that is healthy — buzz, buzz! 

34 



THE SEA OF SLEEP 



THE SEA OF SLEEP 

/^VER the silent sea of sleep 

Low and slow the sun goes down. 
Full on the face of the waters creep 

The shadows of Sleepy -town. 
Then oh, for the boats that are fast slip- 
ping out, 
And oh, for the fish with the gold in their 

mouth, 
And it's oh, for the little folk sailing about 
On that beautiful silent sea! 

Over the silent sea of sleep 

Sail those boats when day is done; 
Over the face of that ocean deep, 

They speed away one by one. 
Then oh, for the wonderful sights to be seen 
In that beautiful land of the mist and sheen, 
And it's oh, for the journey that lies between, 
On that beautiful silent sea! 

Over the silent sea of sleep 

Soft and slow the sea winds blow. 

The boats spread sail and the boatmen keep 
Their eyes on the rocks below. 

35 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

To the beautiful islands beyond the sea 
Now saileth that beautiful argosy. 
How good is the ship, and how good to be 
On that beautiful silent sea! 



CHILDLESS 

I. BEREAVED 
/^H, how my heart is aching 

At the sight of that empty nest; 
How I yearn once more to hold him, 

And to feel his soft tug at my breast! 
The summers may come and go, 

Each day die down in the west, 
Forever I'll feel my anguish, 

He'll never come back to the nest. 

n. BARREN 
Oh, what a nameless longing 

Is this that steals my rest! 
Oh, for the joy of a mother. 

And the sweet soft tug at the breast! 
For other lives baby laughter. 

Their prattle and zeal and zest; 
For me there is nought but silence. 

And yearning and deep unrest. 

36 



SLEEP, BABY, SLEEP 



III. BAFFLED 



Oh, what an idle dreaming! 

To submit to my fate is best. 
Was this strong man e'er so tiny 

That he used to tug at my breast! 
He has given his heart to another, — 

My hopes have proved all a jest; 
He has gone from his old, old mother. 

Since life has so w^illed, it is best. 



SLEEP, BABY, SLEEP 

'T'HE w^inds are murmuring in the pines. 

Sleep, baby, sleep. 
Their music lulls w^ith the lazy lines, 

Sleep, baby, sleep. 
O v^^inds, blow soft, and winds, blow slow ! 

Sleep, baby, sleep. 
And ever their whispering voices go. 

Sleep, baby, sleep. 

Oh, shrill and clear is the cricket's call ! 

Sleep, baby, sleep. 
Repeating it over and over to all. 

Sleep, baby, sleep. 

37 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

The lights are lit when the sun goes down, 

Sleep, baby, sleep. 
And slumber comes to the drowsy town, 

Sleep, baby, sleep. 

Hushed are the winds in the murmuring 
pines, 

Sleep, baby, sleep. 
And hushed the lilt of the lazy lines. 

Sleep, baby, sleep. 
Quenched are the lights in the sleepy town, 

Sleep, baby, sleep. 
But sentinel stars are gazing down. 

Sleep, baby, sleep. 



THE DREAM SHIP 

'T'HE dream ship Hes in the harbor near. 

Gently rocking on the tide; 
The passengers enter it one by one, 
All bound for the ocean wide. 

The dream ship slips from its moorings now. 

Slowly drifting with the tide; 
Its cabins are laden with little souls. 

There's room for one more beside. 



THE COMING OF NIGHT 

The dream ship turns toward the open sea, 

Ghding, floating on the tide; 
The pilot is steering it faithfully, 

While outward and on they ride. 

The dream ship merrily onward goes, 

Safely moving with the tide; 
Far on the ocean of sleep it sails, 

With compass, and chart, and guide. 

The dream ship suddenly homeward turns. 

Swiftly rolling on the tide; 
And loud are the calls of the children dear. 

Who into the harbor glide. 



THE COMING OF NIGHT 

/^H, a big black bogie man's a-comin' 
down the lane. 
Hush, keep quiet, little honey! 
He comes to the house and puts his face 
against the pane. 
Hush, keep quiet, little honey! 
Oh, bogie man, bogie man, please go away, 
Sun-man '11 catch you at the break of day! 

39 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

Oh, the big black bogie man's a-hidin' in 
the shed, 
Hush, keep quiet, little honey! 
Oh, he '11 never, never catch you if you go 
to sleep in bed. 
Hush, keep quiet, little honey! 
Oh, bogie man, bogie man, please go and play, 
Sun -man '11 catch you at the break of day! 

Oh, the big black bogie man's gone over 
all the land. 
Hush, keep quiet, little honey! 
But the old Sun -man '11 grab the bogie 
by the hand — 
Hush, keep quiet, little honey! 
Oh, bogie man, bogie man, please don't stay. 
Sun-man '11 catch you at the break of day. 



A LULLABY 

"O OCK-a-bye, rock-a-bye. 

Swaying, swinging, rock-a-bye. 
Dreamy, drowsy rock-a-bye. 
Fretful and cross is the baby bye, 
Rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye. 

40 



FISHER S LULLABY 

Hush-a-bye, hush-a-bye, 
Quiet, silent hush-a-bye, 
Tranquil, peaceful hush-a-bye, 
Tired and limp is the baby bye, 
Hush-a-bye, hush-a-bye. 

Lullaby, lullaby, 

Gentle, sleepy lullaby, 

Tender, soothing lullaby. 

Peaceful the dreams of the baby bye, 

Lullaby, lullaby. 



FISHER'S LULLABY 

T ISTEN to that! 'tis the mermaid's 

song. 
Wafted and tossed by the breeze along, 
She sings to her maidens she sits among, 
"Babies should go to sleep!" 

The sea gulls call as they scud the wave, 
The winds repeat as they loudly rave, 
"We love little children who well be- 
have, 

Babies should go to sleep." 

41 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

Thy father is fishing on yonder sea, 
To bring to his sweet Httle girlie and me 
A fish and a pearl and a kiss, all three, — 
Baby must go to sleep. 

So go and fish in the fairy sea; 
Bring home some pearls to thy father, see? 
And a string of gold fish for thyself and 
me, — 

Baby is near asleep. 

Lulled to sleep by the sea's loud roar. 
Fainter and fainter upon the shore, 
Till she hears the breakers no more, no 
more. 

Baby is fast asleep. 



DANCE FOR YOUR DADDIE 

"/^H, dance for your daddie! Oh, dance 

^^^ for him, boy! 
Dance for your daddie and thrill him with 

joy!" 
Strong are his paddies, and supple his legs. 
And lusty his lungs when for dancing he begs. 

42 



DANCE FOR YOUR DADDIE 

And SO he leaps hearty and dances with 

glee, 
His life is so happy and healthy and free, 
His eyes twinkle merry, and down to his 

chin 
His face is lit up with a comical grin. 

"Oh, sleep for your daddie, now sleep for 

him, boy! 
Sleep for your daddie and get a new toy!" 
Tired of dancing, he sinks to his rest, 
And cuddles him down for the night in 

his nest. 

And so he sleeps hearty, and healthy his 

dreams. 
Too deep for disturbance or horrors or 

screams ; 
For tired and weary and worn out with fun. 
He slumbers and sleeps to be up with the 

sun. 

"So dance for your daddie and sleep for 

him, too, 
Dancing and sleeping your strength will 

renew ; 
Dancers and sleepers will grow to be men. 
So dance for me, sleep for me, over again." 

43 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 



THE STORK 

TVyTY home is away by the side of the 

sea, 
High up on the branch of an evergreen tree; 
My work is to visit each house in the land, 
And carry it joy in a swaddling band. 

My toes are spread out like a triple -pronged 

fork, — 
Because, as you see, I am only a stork, — 
They stand by me all the long journeys I 

take, 
To carry my babies o'er mountain and brake. 

I wrap up my babies so snug and so warm 
That night airs and darkness can do them 

no harm; 
Then pick out the people I like much the 

best, 
And up with a baby I speed from the nest. 

I alight on the edge of a high chimney top, 
Then down to the bottom I go with a flop, 
Deliver my bundle, and whisper," Good-bye," 
Then back to my breezy house lazily fly. 



A NOCTURNE 



A NOCTURNE 

" Their angels do alnvays behold the face of my 
Father ivhich is in Heauen" 

\ NGEL forms from heaven's gate winging, 
Oh, glorious sight! 
List, oh hst, of God's love singing. 
On through the night. 

Sentinels with radiance streaming. 

Robed all in white. 
Hover softly round him dreaming. 

On through the night. 

Softly treading, slowly moving. 

Bathed all in light, 
Blessed ones our God's love proving, 

On through the night. 

Bending lightly o'er him sleeping, 

On left and right, 
still your faithful vigils keeping, 

On through the night. 

Heavenly ones now round him kneeling. 

Blessed and bright, 
All his baby sorrows healing, 

On through the night. 

45 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

Hush his moaning, still his crying, 

With heavenly might; 
Soothe his baby sobs and sighing, 

On through the night. 

Cared for thus asleep and waking, 

Who fears the fight? 
Confidence and new strength taking, 

On through the night. 



OFF IN THE LAND OF THE 
FAIRIES 

"D OCK-a-bye, baby, thy mother is here, 

Haste to the land of the fairies. 
Rock-a-bye, baby, there's nothing to fear, 

Ofi in the land of the fairies. 
Soft is the touch of a fairy's wing, 
Sweet are the songs that the fairies sing, 
True are the dreams that the fairies bring, 

Off in the land of the fairies. 

Rock-a-bye, baby, the birds sing so sweet, 
Off in the land of the fairies. 

Rock-a-bye, baby, there's gold in the street, 
Off in the land of the fairies. 



GYPSY LULLABY 

Slumber, come close his two bright blue eyes, 
Fairies, come carry him off to your skies, 
Baby shall go where the dream -house lies, 
Off in the land of the fairies, 

Rock-a-bye, baby, the journey is short 

Into the land of the fairies. 
Rock-a-bye, baby, there's frolic and sport 

Off in the land of the fairies. 
Bright are the smiles of the fairy king, 
Baby shall want there for no good thing, 
Baby shall wear a nice golden ring. 
Off in the land of the fairies. 



GYPSY LULLABY 

OLEEP 'neath the stars on a summer 
'^- night, 

Little brown gypsy baby. 
Dream of the sunlands happy and bright. 

Little brown gypsy baby. 
Wandering here and there over the earth, 
Stranger at last in the land of thy birth. 
Stranger to sympathy, happiness, mirth, 

Little brown gypsy baby. 

47 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

Sleep 'neath the trees of the summer night, 

Little brown gypsy baby. 
Dream of the mystical fairy wood sprite, 

Little brown gypsy baby. 
Brownies dance under thy resting place, 
Fairies are fanning thy pretty brown face, 
Jolly young cupids will come on apace, 
Little brown gypsy baby. 

Sleep in the camp on a summer night. 

Little brown gypsy baby. 
For their sweet idol gypsies would fight. 

Little brown gypsy baby. 
Wayward of heart are a gypsy's ways, 
Vagabond nature he strays and strays, 
Wilful and free to the end of days, 
Little brown gypsy baby. 



THE SANDMAN 

^ I ^HE sandman lives in a great big tent 

By the shore of the Twilight sea. 
And he speeds him forth when the day is 
spent. 
And he hurries across the lea. 



THE SANDMAN 

Then he digs and digs for the whitest 
sand, 
Which he sifts very thin and fine; 
And he piles it in heaps by the ocean 
strand, 
As the Hghts in the sky decHne. 

Then he hastes from the shore with his big 
sand pail, 
For he has a great work to do; 
And he follows a beautiful backwoods' 
trail 
To the dwellings of Peekaboo. 

Then he harries the town for the weary 
lads, 
And the lassies so sweet and small; 
Throws dust in their eyes from his dusty 
pads, 
Till he sprinkles them one and all. 

He closes their eyes with his thin, fine 
sand, 
When they drop their wee nodding heads ; 
And mother just coddles them soft with her 
hand 
As she trundles them off to their beds. 

D 49 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 



THE NEW-BORN BABE 

"IVyTOTHER'S new-born babe just sleeps 
and sleeps, 
And he hardly, if ever, awakes; 
The dear nurse says that she peeps and 
peeps 
At the very least sound he makes. 
He's a very small mite. 
With his paddies shut tight, 
And he hasn't the ghost of a hair; 
From his feet to his head. 
He is Indian red, 
Though his father asserts that he's fair. 

If he wakes at night, he squalls and squalls 

Like a double-barreled nursery horn; 
If he wakes by day he bawls and bawls, 
And he has since the hour he was 
born. 

From his wee finger tips, 
To his red ruby lips. 
He's a lively little acrobat — 

From his pretty wee nose, 
To his dainty bare toes — 
Just as if he were made to be that. 

50 



A STORY FOR BEDTIME 



A STORY FOR BEDTIME 

/^H, tell us the story that never grows 
^^ old, 

That charms us each time that we hear! 
How, tenderly taking a child in his arms, 

The Good Man allayed all their fear. 

The story is sweeter the oftener told — 
The Good Man took some in his arms, 

And kissed them and said they were pre- 
cious to him. 
So sweet were their graces and charms. 

"Don't send them away, but allow them to 
come, 

For of such is the kingdom of heaven ; 
And, except ye become little children as they. 

No kingdom to you shall be given." 

And the little ones nestled up close to his 
breast, 
As, later, their big brother John. 
He petted and patted them there on his 
breast. 
And gave them his blessing, each one. 

SI 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

So now, when dfear mother is willing to tell 

A story on going to bed, 
We ask her to tell us the story of him 

Who patted each child on the head. 



A CHILD'S DREAM 

/^H, mother, just think of the dream 
^^ that I've had, 

It wakened me up with a start; 
The brownies were wheeling the fairies 
about, 
And each in a little go-cart! 
Just then there oozed out of a red clover 
top 
The king of the bright fairy land; 
He rode a grasshopper that went with a 
hop; 
They alighted right here on my hand. 

The king was arrayed in a web of moon- 
beams ; 

His hat he held on with his hand; 
His coat was a marvel of silvery sheen ; 

His sash was a bright rainbow band. 

5« 



THE LAMB OUTSIDE THE FOLD 

The king drank sweet honey from white 
flower-cups; 

His eyes were as glittering as glass; 
His armor was velvety, vaporous dew; 

His sword was a blade of green grass. 

A mosquito was playing a tiny guitar 

On the edge of a funny old stump, 
And he sang, "Mister Hopper, how funny 
you are! 

Say, how did you come with that hump?" 
But a lizard crept out of the shell of a snail. 

And laid out the flea with a stroke, 
Then turned himself round on the tip of 
his tail, 

And, — mother dear, then I awoke. 



THE LAMB OUTSIDE THE FOLD 

'npHE good shepherd tenderly cares for 
his sheep, 
When the night with the rain sets in; 
The good shepherd foldeth them safely to 
sleep, 
Ere the cold night rains begin. 

53 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

But one little lamb strays off from the 
fold 

Ere the night with the rain sets in; 
It loses its way o'er the mountains cold 

Ere the cold night rains begin. 

So the good shepherd goes with his crook 
and cloak, 
As the night with the rain sets in; 
And he finds his lamb with its poor leg 
broke 
As the cold night rains begin. 

He wraps the dear lamb to his bosom 
warm, 
When the night with the rain sets in, 
And he cuddles it safe with the rest from 
harm. 
As the cold night rains begin. 

Now mother's wee lamb far away from the 
fold,— 
See, the night with the rain sets in! 
So off with the sheep to the sheep -pen 
old 
Ere the cold night rains begin. 



54 



GOOD AND BAD CHILDREN'S DREAMS 

GOOD AND BAD CHILDREN'S 
DREAMS 

/^OME, go to bed and sleep, and dream 

Of cakes and pies and frozen cream, 
Of things to eat and things to do, 
And other things just made for you. 

But naughty girls and naughty boys, 
Who spend their time in what annoys, 
Will dream of ugly snakes and toads, 
And goblins green on country roads. 

They dream of bats and cats and rats. 
Of bugs and worms and grubs and gnats, 
Of ugly dogs and frogs and hogs. 
Of newts and slugs in swamps and bogs. 

But if such children have been good, 
They dream of cake and angel food, 
Of Christmas joys and bright new toys. 
Just made for lovely girls and boys. 

They dream of coats and brand-new boats. 
Of silver seas where moonhght floats; 
They dream of drums and sugar plums, 
And hold them tight between their thumbs. 

55 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

So go to bed and sleep, and dream 
Of cakes and pies and frozen cream, 
Of things to eat and things to do. 
Your dreams will surely all come true. 



RETURN OF THE DREAM SHIP 



'TpHERE is red in the East and a mack- 
erel sky, 
Will the turn of the tide begin? 
Some have scanned the sea with an aching 
eye, 
Will the good old ship come in? 

And some of the mothers will moan and 
weep 
When the ship comes roUing in, 
For their' loved ones have gone far away on 
the deep, 
And will not with the ship come in. 

But many a heart beats high with pride 

As the tide sets moving in. 
And are planning to open their arms out wide 

To the passengers coming in. 

56 



A VESPER SONG 

There's a music sweet in the old fog horn 

As the tide comes rolling in; 
And the bell buoy tolls on the merry mornj 

As the fine old ship comes in. 

Oh, well for my sleepy lad on the sea 
When the tide to return sets in! 

'Tis well for the sailor lad and me 
When the good old ship is in. 



A VESPER SONG 

^TpHE faded leaves are falling, 
The flying rooks are calling, 
The sun sinks low in yonder rosy west. 

The tired winds are sighing, 

The passing day is dying. 
The earth is hushed in rest, sweet rest. 

The busy bee's slow mumble, 
The noisy street's low rumble 

Have ceased, and all the scene is silent now. 
The joyous day's bright sunlight 
Is slowly changed to twilight, 

And tired toilers leave the weary plow. 

57 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

The lively cricket's gladness, 

The flitting firefly's madness, 
Like distant bells or shining distant star, 

The lazy June -bug's droning, 

The katydid's intoning, 
Like gentle music, sound now near, now 
far. 

Within the darkened chamber, 
Like moving shadows somber. 

The children drag their weary forms to bed; 
The day in silence ending. 
Their tired limbs unbending. 

In slumber sinks each dreamy, drowsy head. 



AN INVOCATION TO SLEEP 



/'^ENTLE Sleep, slowly creep; 
^^ Gently, slowly, surely hold him; 
Wave your wand, magic wand, 

In your lap of peace enfold him. 
Weave a web of dreams around him, 
Wrap a fold of cloud about him. 
Bind a spell on baby's eyes. 
Hush his sobs and still his cries. 



THE LAND OF DREAMS 

Welcome Sleep, sound and deep, 

Kindly, sweetly, fondly still him. 
Mild starlight, soft and bright. 

With the sweetest tempers fill him. 
Spin a veil of tangled moonbeams. 
Crystal clear and pure the moonbeams. 
Bathe his spirit fresh in dew. 
Love him well as he loves you. 



THE LAND OF DREAMS 

A BEAUTIFUL land is the land of 
dreams. 
Surpassing the tongue to tell; 
A land of flowers and birds and brooks, 
Of woods and fields and shadiest nooks, 
Like those one sees in picture books, 
Dehghting the children well. 

A marvelous land is the land of dreams, 

Its wonders beyond belief; 
A land of witches and bottomless wells, 
Of weird hobgoblins in far away cells. 
Of charmed circles and magical spells. 

And terrors in bold relief. 

59 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

A frolicsome land is the land of dreams, 

Devoted to merriment; 
A land of music and dance and mirth, 
Of lively sallies that sv^ell up your girth, 
When jest and jollity tickle the earth 

On missions of gladness sent. 

A fanciful land is the land of dreams, 

Its palaces paved with gold; 
The sand on the shore of its silver sea 
Sparkles with diamonds rich and free. 
While the fish are of gold in the gold-fish 
sea, 

And are yours to have and hold. 



MOTHER GOOSE 

T^EAR Mother Goose, with her half- 

shut eye. 
Is crooning and rocking her baby bye; 
She sings of the boys and the girls in her 

books, 
Who grow to be tailors and mothers and 

cooks : — 

60 



MOTHER GOOSE 

Of Daffy Down Dilly, and My Lady Ann, 
Of Old Goody Two-Shoes, and My Little 

Man, 
Of Little Tom Tucker, and Taffy the thief, 
Who tried to get off with the leg of a 

beef; 

Of Wee Willy Winkie, of Jack and his 

Gill, 
Of humble Jack Horner who ate with a will. 
Of old Mother Hubbard, her dog and the 

bone, 
Of poor Simple Simon, of Darby and Joan. 

Oh, what a mother she is, to be sure! 
Her face is all wrinkled, her dresses look 

poor, 
Her nose is quite crooked, her teeth are 

all loose. 
Her voice is a cackle; she sings like a 

goose. 

But, ragged and crooked and aged and lame, 
She seems like an angel to me just the same; 
And many a time to her musical themes 
I've wandered away to the country of 
dreams. 

6i 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

THE FANTASTIC WORLD OF 
CHILDHOOD 

I. SHADOW LAND 

'T' HERE'S a land that is known to be 
quaint and queer, 

That has neither day nor night, 
But a shadowy, dim, enchanted haze 

Absorbs every glimmer of light; 
Where every one moves in a murk and a mist 

Like shadowy ghosts in the dark. 
Where vapors and dew^s you can seize in 
your fist 

Like the will-o -the -wisp in the park. 

And heavy gray fog may be felt and seen. 

That hangs like a thunder cloud; 
And you buffet the dark, it's so thick in 
your face, 

And the silence resounds aloud. 
The shadows that flutter and float and dance 

As though they were all alive. 
The specters in shrouds that glimmer and 
glance, 

To Nowhere will suddenly dive. 

6z 



THE FANTASTIC WORLD 

But the thoughts that you think in your 
hazy head 

Are as dreamy and vague as foam; 
And you build full many a castle in air, 

And furnish it rich for a home. 
And you drift till they vanish avv^ay in dreams, 

Till lo ! a soft gleam of light 
Looms out of the gloom and the shadowy 
dark 

From slumber land glorious and bright. 

II. THE DREAM COUNTRY 

For just on the edge of the outermost glen. 

That other land glitters full fair, 
Where only the fleeciest clouds are afloat, 

And only the balmiest air. 
The daintiest flowers of valleys and nooks, 

The elves singing softly and clear, 
The bubble of fountains, the purling of 
brooks 

Make sweetest of music to hear. 

You tread on a carpet of soft thistledown. 
And rest upon cushions of moss; 

You eat all you wish of a nice bill of fare, 
Served up with a napkin of floss. 

63 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

You ask of the fairies who live in the place, 
With clothes made of woven moonbeams, 

"Oh, give me a taste of your fresh mountain 
dew. 
That's better than honey or creams. 

"Then spin me a skein of your silkiest thread. 

And make me a garment full rare, 
As soft and as fine as the best spider web, 

And give me of grace a good share. 
And slippers as glossy as feathers that shine, 

With buckles of silver and gold. 
And sashes as flossy as silver is fine, — 

Then bring me a dollie to hold." 



SAILOR'S LULLABY 

r\ SWEET is the sleep of a sailor's child! 

Sweet my child, sleep, my child. 
The sea hath its melodies mild and wild. 

Into the dreamland go. 
It sings him a song of the maid of the mist, 
Of the fair mermaid with a comb in her fist. 
Her hair outstreaming, or rolled in a twist; 

List to her melody: 

64 



SAILOR'S LULLABY 

To the thud, thud of a wrathful sea, — 
Ceaseless thud, loud and low, — 

The mournful, moaning, hungry sea. 
Into the dreamland go. 

Over the waste of waters wild, 
Sweet my child, sleep, my child. 
Are billowy heaps in mountains piled; 

Into the dreamland go. 
The winds may rage, the rain may pour, 
The ship may lurch, the sea may roar 
In a gruff old baritone o'er and o'er 

Its ancient melody: 
To the thud, thud of an angry sea, — 

To and fro, to and fro, — 
Thumping, surging, ugly sea, 

Into the dreamland go. 

Rocked in an ocean cradle mild, 
Sweet my child, sleep, my child, 
Oft by its motions soft beguiled. 

Into the dreamland go. 
Soft is the kiss of the western breeze. 
Smooth is the face of the great high 

seas, 
Sweet to my child are the memories 

Of that old sea melody: 

E 65 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

To the thud, thud of a heavy sea, 

On we go, slow we go, 
Rocked to the thud of a weary sea. 

Into the dreamland go. 



A CRADLE SONG 

TLTIGH, low, the cradle rocks. 
Baby pulls at baby's socks. 
Brother Ben is building blocks, 
High, low, the cradle rocks. 

Rock, rock, the cradle goes. 
Baby laughs and baby crows, 
Counts his fingers and his toes. 
Rock, rock, the cradle goes. 

Back, forth, the cradle swings. 
Mother to her baby sings. 
Slumber to his eyes she brings, 
Back, forth, the cradle swings. 

Rock, rock, the cradle slow, 
Byloland has baby so 
He sleeps and dreams of mother O, 
Rock, rock the cradle slow. 

66 



AN EVENTIDE SONG 



AN EVENTIDE SONG 

jC-TUSH, mv little one, hush! 
The sun has left the lea, 
'Tis time thy little bark to push 
Into the silent sea. 

Rest, my little one, rest! 

Content with me to be. 
The darkness steals across the west, 

Its shadows fall on thee. 

Peace, my little one, peace: 

And pillow soft thy head. 
Thy fretful murmurs now should cease. 

While angels guard thy bed. 

Sleep, my little one, sleep! 

Thy mother loves thee true. 
No pearl within the ocean deep 

Is purer through and through. 

Dream, my Httle one, dream! 

Thy heart shall be the shrine 
From out whose life a love shall beam,- 

Thy father's love and mine. 

67 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

MATINS 

' I ^HE twitter of birds in the apple trees, 

The gray in the eastern sky, 
The coolness borne on the morning breeze, 
Or the lark's song passing by; 

The drops like pearl on the fresh green grass. 
The leaves all a -tremble with dew, 

The gathering Hght on the window glass. 
The house dog's yawn or two; 

The stir of Hfe on yard and lawn, 

A warble, a call, a trill, 
A red, hke rose, to betoken dawn, 

And the light growing brighter still; 

The echoing tread of a passing foot. 

The jolt of a farmer's rig, 
The hurrying stamp of a squirrel's boot, 

Or the sparrow's whistled jig; 

A prattling babe in a near-by crib, 

Or a chuckle thinned out to a grin, — 

Are the dead sure signs that the night is 
gone, 
And the day with its work comes in. 



AN OLD ENGLISH LULLABY 



AN OLD ENGLISH LULLABY 

"P^EAR mother is singing a sweet lullaby, 

^"^ To hush the dear baby beginning to cry, 

She says, when a baby, they sang it to her, 

And grandmother heard it from her mother 

Burr: — 

"My dear cockadoodle, my jewel, my joy. 

My darling, my honey, my pretty sweet 

boy. 
Before I do rock thee with soft lullaby. 
Give me thy dear lips to be kissed, kissed, 
kissed." 

It hasn't much merit, its rhyming is poor, 
It's quite out of place for a girl, I am 

sure; 
Yet lacking in grammar, in music and art, 
That song settled down long ago in my 
heart : — 
"My dear cockadoodle, my jewel, my joy. 
My darling, my honey, my pretty sweet 

boy, 
Before I do rock thee with soft lullaby, 
Give me thy dear lips to be kissed, kissed, 
kissed." 

69 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

In England they're singing that very same song, 
In nursery circles they pass it along; 
To bless little people we sing it again, 
Who join in the chorus and shout the amen: 
"My dear cockadoodle, my jewel, my joy, 
My darling, my honey, my pretty sweet 

boy. 
Before I do rock thee with soft lullaby, 
Give me thy dear lips to be kissed, kissed, 
kissed." 



THE NIGHT EXPRESS 

npHE night express is a grand good train. 

And it runs on a good road-bed. 
It always keeps to its schedule time. 
As it speeds through the dark ahead. 

At six -forty -five it comes to town, 
And it waits ten minutes to dine. 

While the passengers board in cap and gown, 
And set out for the journey fine. 

At seven o'clock the train pulls out 
With whistle and puff and ring, 

The doors are shut and the good-byes said. 
While the passengers laugh and sing. 

70 



A GOOD -NIGHT PAT 

Oh, a jolly good train is the night express, 
There are very few jolts or jars; 

It has right of way, and the tickets read 
through 
In these patented sleeping cars. 

Away in the dark goes the fast express, 
And on through the long, long night, 

Till the train stops still in the depot grand. 
And the men cry aloud, "Daylight!" 



A GOOD-NIGHT PAT 

OHE snuggled him warm 'neath the cover- 
let smart. 
She patted his head with her hand. 
She said a soft word that went straight to 
his heart, 
With the charm of a magical wand. 

He covered his head with the pretty bed 
spread. 

As happy as any one could. 
For dear little mother had patted his head. 

And told him she hoped he'd be good. 

71 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

And she knew from his smile and the 
warmth of his kiss, 
As he settled himself for the night, 
That the joy in his heart was the next 
thing to bliss, 
That his mother, dear mother, was right. 

The winds may blow gusts down the big 
chimney place, 

The rain patter fast on the pane, 
There's a confident trust in the dear little face, 

With a beautiful meaning and plain. 

His mother has patted his dear little head, 
Has said to him, "Dearie, good-night;" 

So gladly he sleeps in his snug little bed. 
Nor awakens till broad daylight. 



INFANCY 

'T^HERE'S a touch of Heaven in his 
bright blue eyes. 

And his hair is tanned by the sun, 
There's the color of rose in his dainty cheeks, 

And his teeth are pearls each one. 

72 



THE LITTLE FLOWER GATHERER 

There's a tender grace in his lips' red lines, 
And a subtle tone in his voice, 

There's a gentle charm in his childHke smile, 
And it makes our hearts rejoice. 

There's a dimple sweet on his tiny chin, 
And a cunning shape to his nose, 

There's a graceful curve to his rounded throat 
And his flesh has the tint of the rose, 

While a soul looks out of his sw^eet young 
face 

With an infinite mystery 
That eludes my own when I try to peer 

To the depths of his infancy. 



THE LITTLE FLOWER GATHERER 

XXT'IDE-AWAKE, Wide-awake, where 
are you going. 

Gathering flowers the whole day long. 
Weaving a chaplet of daisies for mother. 

Stringing them all on a song? 
You shall be mother's protector in future, 

Gallant and fearless and strong. 

73 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

Sleepy -head, Sleepy -head, where are you 
going. 
Wandering skyward in sleep and dreams, 
Bringing big bunches of star gems for 
mother, 
Threaded on misty moonbeams? 
The nosegay you hold in your hand is all 
withered, 
Forgotten in sleep, as it seems. 

Curly -locks, Curly -locks, oh how I love you. 
Waking or sleeping, my sunny boy. 

Full of the tenderest, liveliest graces, 
Clinging and cooing and coy! 

You are the dearest of all my dear treasures, 
Full of the spirit of joy. 



THE HOUR OF SLEEP 

'npHE flowers have folded their petals to 
sleep, 
The sun has set under the lea. 
The darkness and stillness have settled on 
all, 
The fairies are caUing for thee. 

74 



A CLOSE RESEMBLANCE 

The trees are all hushed and the winds 
are at rest, 
Deep silence descends from on high, 
The bird in the woodland has gone to 
his nest, 
The moon sweetly shines in the sky. 

To weary and drowsy and sleepy young 
pets. 

Whose romping and shouting now cease, 
The quiet of evening so gentle and soft 

Is bringing the blessings of peace. 



A CLOSE RESEMBLANCE 

T WILL sing you a song of a sleepy boy 

Who looked just like you. 
He played on the floor for an hour or 
more — 

He looked just like you. 
He played till his temper got "busted 

through,'' 
So sleepy he didn't know what to do. 
The song that I sing of the laddie is true, 

And he looked just like you. 

75 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

Now I'll tell you a tale of a sleepy girl 

Who looked just like you. 
Her eyes would flash, and her nose would 
curl, — 

She looked just like you. 
She alwaj^s hated to go to bed, 
And cried till her face was a rosy red. 
The drowsiest, frowsiest sleepy head, — 

She looked just like you. 

This whimsical, comical, bothersome chap, 

I'm sure, looked like you; 
This liveHest, loveliest, merriest lass, 

'Tis true, looked like you. 
They danced so dizzy the whole day through, 
Their heads grew giddy and drowsy too. 
Do you know who they were? Never tell 
if you do! 

They looked just like you. 



A FAIRY TALE 

A FAIRY perched on the children's bed 
And gazed with a pensive sigh ; 
And said, "How I wish I had such a head 
And could open and shut my eye!" 

76 



A FAIRY TALE 

While the children dreamed of the fairy 
books, 
And thought to themselves in sleep, 
"How I wish that I had pretty fairy 
wings 
And plenty of gold to keep ! " 

The fairy gazed with a stony stare 
And said, "How I wish I knew 
The half that is in the wise noddles of 
these. 
Or could work at the things they 
do!" 
While the children turned in their sleep 
and dreamed 
And said to themselves with a sigh, 
"I wish I could live as the fairies live. 
And look through a glass green eye!" 

The fairy lifted his golden wand 
And sang in a minor key, 
"I'd give my wand with its niagic charm 
Just the brother of these to be!" 
But the children woke as the fairy fled, 
And said to their mother with glee, 
"Dear mother, we talked to a fairy fay. 
And your fairies we're going to be!" 

17 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 



LITTLE CRY-BABY 

T ITTLE Cry-baby from morning till night 

Clings to his mother's dress; 
He longs to be cuddled from morning till 
night, 
He weeps for her sweet caress. 
"Little Cry-baby, dry your eyes, 
Mother doesn't like her sweet baby's 

cries. 
Play with your doll, sing it lullabies, 
Little Cry-baby, dry your eyes. 

"Little Cry-baby, go haste you away. 

Play with your brother Ben; 

Mother is busy, too busy to play; 

Cry-babies never make men. 

Little Cry-baby, please don't cry; 
Mother will rock her sweet baby -bye. 
Why does he fret so and sob and sigh ! 
Little Cry-baby, please don't cry." 

Little Cry-baby has gone away, 

He worried his mother sore; 
With a smile on his face he has gone "to play" 

In a little white dress he wore. 

78' 



LOOKING FORWARD AND BACKWARD 

Little Cry-baby dreams and sleeps, 
And a heartbroken mother now sighs 

and weeps 
To gaze once more in the blue-eyed deeps 
Of her Cry-baby fast asleep. 



A MOTHER LOOKING FORWARD 
AND BACKWARD 

TNTO his eyes with their wistful hue 

The baby's young mother was peering; 
A mystery lay in their sky -like blue 

And love that was sweet and endearing; 
And soon in the midst of her sweet reveries 
Was her loving young spirit fast drifting, 
At work on air castles and great prophecies 
The veil from his future uplifting: 
"How glad I shall be 
When my baby is tall, 
I'll walk by his side 

And he'll love me withal; 
His heart will be pure. 
His purpose sincere, 
His strong arm protection, 
My boy without peer!" 

79 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

Years have gone by like a passing breath; 

A sad -faced old mother is brooding, 
Wan and wrinkled and touched by death, 

Grim are the specters intruding. 
She thinks of her son and his life wrecked 
at last, 
Besotted with drinking and sinning; 
She thinks of the beauty of love that is 
past, 
The child of her youth again winning: 
"How glad would I be, 
If my son were a child 
As pure and as sweet 

As his babyhood wild; 
His life and his soul 

Were now pure from stain, 
And he in my arms 

My sweet baby again." 



SING A SONG OF BEDTIME 

OING a song of bedtime, 

Tiny chubby toes, 
Tired, fretful bodies 
Filling up with woes, 

So 



SING A SONG OF BEDTIME 

Peepers winking, blinking, 
Head a-nodding so; 
"Want a drink of water, 
Please, before I go." 



.V 



Bennie wants some water; 

Now he wants a "piece; 
Bossy as a badger, 

Noisier than geese. 
Now he wants his dolly, 

"Lamb with woolly fleece." 
Get him all he asks for 

Just to keep the peace! 

Now they're making ready, 

Dainty snowy gowns, 
Pretty downy bedclothes. 

Mingled smiles and frowns; 
Sunny tumbled tresses 

Pillowed soft and low; 
"Double kiss for mother 

Just before I go." 

Sing a song of bedtime, 
Sweetest time of all, 

Soothing little heartaches 
Up and down the hall; 

F 8l 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

Weary wayward toddlers 

Snugly stowed away, 
Sleep soon comes to keep them 

Till another day. 



ROCK-A-BYE, HUSH-A-BYE. 
LULL-A-BYE 

jnOCK-A-BYE, rock-a-bye, rare little 

rover, 
Running and racing the whole day through ; 

Love, close his blue eyes. 

Dear little bright eyes. 
Fairies, come take him to you. 

Hush-a-bye, hush-a-bye, list, little lover. 
Calling for mother the whole long day; 

Dreams, kiss his sweet eyes. 

Drowsy 3'oung blue eyes. 
Clear as a sky in May. 

Lull-a-bye, lull -a- bye, just like his daddy, 
Learning to love me the whole day long; 

Sleep, seal his bright eyes, 

Loving soft blue eyes. 
How does he like my song? 

82 



BYE, BABY, BYE 

Rock -a- bye, hush -a- bye, lull- a -bye, laddie, 
Sleeping and dreaming of joy and love; 

Closed are his dear eyes, 

Bonnie bright blue eyes, 
Mother's soft cooing dove. 



BYE, BABY, BYE 

T AY your head down on your mother's 
"^ breast. 

Bye, baby, bye. 
Mother w^ill watch o'er her baby blest, 

Bye, baby, bye; 
Moonbeams bright with their misty wings, 

Bye, baby, bye. 
Kiss the baby while mother sings. 

Bye, baby, bye. 

Pillow your cheek on your mother's arm, 

Bye, baby, bye. 
Mother will shield you from every harm, 

Bye, baby, bye; 
Out of the sky with a shower of dreams, 

Bye, baby, bye, 
Fairies come floating on silvery streams, 

Bye, baby, bye. 

83 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

Cuddle yourself in your mother's lap, 

Bye, baby, bye; 
Cuddle yourself for a peaceful nap. 

Bye, baby, bye. 
The fays will find you and love you true, 

Bye, baby, bye, 
My love and my life hover over you, 

Bye, baby, bye. 



THE CHILDREN'S PRAYER 



T 1ST, "Now I lay me down to sleep: 
"^ It is the children praying; 
Low bending at their mother's knee, 
I hear their voices saying : 

"I pray the Lord my soul to keep" — 
Oh, hear them yet imploring, 
A tender grace to older hearts 
Their childish faith restoring! 



"If I should die before I wake" — 
The words are scarcely spoken 
When memory wakes up the past 
And proves His care unbroken. 

84 



THE SLEEPING BEAUTY 

I pray the Lord my soul to take,"" 
Chimes in each childish treble, 

And then their prattle turns away 
To book or doll or pebble. 

That evening prayer, though, means so 
much 

To all the children praying! 
Their souls with God it keeps in touch, 

And will through all their straying. 



THE SLEEPING BEAUTY 

' I ^HERE is a fairy land, far, far away, 
Ruled by a kingly hand, far, far 

away; 
There, all the gossips say, 
Magic pipers dance and play — 
Dance with the fairy fay, far, far away. 

In that enchanted land, long, long ago, 
Inside a castle grand, long, long ago. 

There slept a maiden fair, 

Beautiful beyond compare, 
Waiting her lover there, long, long ago. 

85 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

After a hundred years, long, long ago, 
Love beaming through his tears, long, long 
ago, 
Swift came her lover fair. 
Kissed the maiden rich and rare. 
Waked, v^on, and wed her there, long, 
long ago. 

To that enchanted land, far, far away, 
Lead dolly by the hand, far, far away; 
Then mother swift will come. 
Kiss and wake her Sugar -plum. 
As the knight of fairydom, far, far away. 



LITTLE BO-PEEP 



T ITTLE Bo-peep has lost her sheep, 

She has tumbled them into a corner; 
She stops playing shepherd and dozes away 
As happy as little Jack Horner. 

Little Bo-peep has sheep to keep. 
They are wandering off in the valley; 

Farther and farther away they roam — 
Sweet Shepherdess, why do you dally? 

86 



LITTLE BO-PEEP 

Little Bo-peep is fast asleep, 

Is dreaming queer dreams in the corner; 
Her bib and her tucker are crumpled, and she 

Is a sight — she was never forlorner. 

Little Bo-peep, in slumber deep. 

Doesn't know about sheep — for a wonder. 

'Twould take forty crickets to wake her, I 
guess. 
Or else a loud peal of thunder. 

Little Bo-peep begins to weep. 

How I pity the dear little mourner! 
She cries for her sheep just as soon as she 
wakes, 

Over there in the nursery corner. 

Little Bo-peep and her nursery sheep 
Are playing again in the corner. 

Oh, days they are happy and days they are 
sweet, 
To little Bo-peep and Jack Horner! 

Little Bo-peep will slowly creep 

Into womanhood. Then, mother, mind 
her! 
She'll forget all about her dear nursery sheep 

And the tales she has left behind her. 

87 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 



THE OLD NURSE 

np HE nurse had hair that was silver white^ 
And her voice vi^as sweet and low, 
And her wrinkled face wore a sunny smile, 

And her step was soft and slow. 
In her soft arms laid, to her bosom pressed. 

With a merry, merry bright blue eye, 
Would a tender maid, like a fairy dressed. 

As a pretty Httle dream flower lie. 

This dear old nurse knew a pretty song, 

Which she sang with her sweet low voice, 
While her face lit up with the good glad smile 

So it made one's heart rejoice. 
In her soft strong arms, to her bosom 
pressed, 

With a gentle Httle coo the while. 
Nurse soothed her alarms, lulled the child 
to rest, 

By the power of her song and smile. 

Said the dear old nurse, "In my cosy lap 
Come and rest your weary head, 

Come, settle yourself for your forenoon nap, 
Lest the day be swiftly sped." 



THE NEST CRADLE 



In her cosy lap, to her bosom pressed, 
Through the murky, misty shadow land, 

By that forenoon nap was the maiden blessed, 
Clinging soft to the nurse's hand. 



THE NEST CRADLE 

"OOCK-A-BYE, birdie, in the tree-top. 

Swung by each passing breeze; 
When the wind blows the cradle will rock, 

Lashed to the boughs of the trees. 
When the bough breaks the cradle will fall. 

Rolling around and around, 
Down will come cradle and birdie and all 

A-tumbling out on the ground. 

Rock-a-bye, birdie, in the tree-top. 

Night settles down from the sky; 
When the wind blows the cradle will rock. 

Tossed by the storm sweeping by. 
When the bough breaks the cradle will 
fall. 

Wrecked by the force of the blast; 
Down will come cradle and birdie and all — 

Nesting and brooding are past. 

89 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 



A PROMISE TO BABY 

" T WILL buy you a dream, little man. 
What kind do you wish? tell me true. 
Come, close to me nestle, 
My pretty rose petal) 
What kind shall I purchase for you? 

"A kindly old man has these dreams, 
For baby and sister and you. 

While poppies are steeping 

Your eyelids for sleeping, 
I'll ask him to send you a few. 

"I know the old house where he lives 
Down the lane where he keeps his big 
store ; 
He sells sweet caresses, 
To bind up wee tresses, — 
I've been there quite often before. 

"So close tight your eyes, little dear. 
Till I fetch you the best that he sells; 
I'll buy you the rarest. 
The choicest, the fairest, 
That brownies make deep in their dells." 

90 



PUTTING THE BABY TO SLEEP 

I lulled him to sleep in my lap, 
Thus I comforted little Boy Blue, — 

When a thing is ideal, 

It also is real, 
How else would his dreaming come true? 

Else wishing and having are dreams. 
Are dreaming awake and at will, 

All living's a lie. 

To wake is to die, — 
Begone! I believe in them still. 



PUTTING THE BABY TO SLEEP 



/^OME, mother's sweet darling must sleep, 
Must close up his two little eyes; 

He's mother's sw^eet cherry, 

And little round berry, 
As dainty and soft as the skies; 
But mother's wee baby must sleep, 
He's drowsy and tired to-night. 

Come here where it's cozy. 

My ring -around -rosy, 
And cuddle down soft for the night. 

9' 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

He's mother's sweet dear little lamb, 
He's mother's soft cooing young dove, 

I'll sing him a ditty 

That's tender and pretty 
If only he'll sleep as he should; 
For mother's wee baby must sleep, 
There's dust on his eyelids to-night; 

So take mother's blessing, 

And gentle caressing, 
And cuddle down soft for the night. 



WAKING SONG 

A WAKE, awake, 

'Tis now daybreak. 
The light is gaily streaming; 

Awake, awake, 

From slumber wake, 
'Tis time to cease from dreaming. 

Arise, arise, 

The morning flies. 
The day is swift advancing; 

Arise, arise. 

Dear drowsy eyes, 
All merry maids are dancing. 
92 



IN THE ARMS OF MORPHEUS 

Away, away, 

To work and play, 
With lively shout and laughter; 

Away, away, 

Enjoy the day. 
And sleep will follow after. 



IN THE ARMS OF MORPHEUS 

\X7EARY he shuts his eyes, 

Ended the day. 
Heavy his body lies, 

Tired of play. 
Arms limp and breathing slow, 

Mouth open wide; 
Sleep has him now, I know. 

Sweet dreams beside. 

Carry him gently hence. 

Soft lay him down. 
Lightly, on tiptoe, thence. 

All noises drown. 
On through the stilly night. 

Silent he grows; 
What future holds the wight 

Nobody knows. 

93 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

MOTHER'S WEE WILLIE WINKIE 
LAD 

AXT'HO is as bright as a day in June, 

Who is as fresh as a rose, 
Whose baby prattle is Hke an old tune, 
Who has a pretty wee nose? 

Who is as sweet as a sugar plum, 

Who is as fine as a peach. 
Who likes the noise of a great big drum. 

Who eats every thing within reach? 

Who has a dimple above his chin, 

Who has a merry smile. 
Who likes to chuckle and cheerily grin, 

And does it most all the while? 

Who has a voice that is rich and sweet, 
Sweet as the note of a thrush, 

Who has ten piggies on two little feet. 
And a little tow-head to brush? 

Who has a laugh Hke the merry brook. 
That bubbles in sharps and flats, 

Who likes to look at a picture book. 
And imitate dogs and cats? 

94 



A TWILIGHT SONG 



Who has these things I am teUing about, 

Who is a constant joy? 
Mother's dear Wee Willie Winkie lad, 

Mother's dear Httle boy. 



A TWILIGHT SONG 

p\EAR baby, hush! 
"^"^ There's a lull in all labor 
Busily bounding from hour to hour; 
Twilight has come, and night-time, its 
neighbor. 
Slow is beginning to lower. 

Come then and rest! 
Night voices are calling, 

Crickets and katydids sing each to each; 
Fireflies are flitting and dream flowers are 
falling 

All for my dear little peach. 

Rest thee in peace. 
Oh my dear little rover. 

Shouting and laughing at work as at play ! 
Rest thee and sleep, my sweet bee in the clover. 

Sipping at honey all day! 

95 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

Lie down and sleep, 
The stars are now shining, 

Hushed are the field -flowers silent and still! 
The great evening star in the west is de- 
clining. 

The moon rises over the hill. 

Sleep on and dream. 
Oh, sweet be thy slumber! 

Weary one, sleep while the dear angels 
guard. 
Thus through the nights and the days with- 
out number 
They will keep watch o'er their ward. 



A SLUMBER SPELL 

"LJUSH, my baby, do not cry. 

List to mother's lullaby! 
Go to sleep, my blithe bluebell, 
Mother brings a slumber spell. 

Like the haze in eastern skies 
Is the mist in baby's eyes, 
Eyes whose beauty none can tell, 
Yielding to my slumber spell. 
96 



OFF FOR SLUMBER ISLAND 

Go to sleep, my baby bye, 
Safe on mother's breast you lie; 
Snug and warm, it suits you well. 
Lulled by mother's slumber spell. 

Peace and rest are drawing nigh, 
Sleep is kissing baby bye; 
Down he goes, awhile to dwell. 
Underneath my slumber spell. 



OFF FOR SLUMBER ISLAND 



H 



EAVE, ho! heave, ho! 
The South winds blow. 
The tide to the sea has begun to flow; 
And the odor of pine 
With the odor of brine, 
Is moving to sea from the ocean line. 

Heigh, ho! heigh, ho! 

O breathe and blow! 
Encircle the bed of my baby, O; 

Ye winds of the West, 

Bring sleep to the nest. 
And seal up the eyes of my baby blest. 

G 97 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

O good Strong boat 

On the sea afloat, 
My boy to the Slumber Islands tote! 

With the moving tide, 

O'er the waters glide, 
As into the haven of rest you ride. 

O mild moonlight! 

O stars of night! 
Shine soft on the face of my baby bright; 

With magical charms 

Allay his alarms, 
And return him safe to his mother's arms. 



BABY BYE 

T DO love you through and through, baby 

-■' bye, 

And I love you strong and true, baby bye; 

Sweet and bright is your love light. 
And to love you seems just right, baby bye. 

I shall love you as you grow, baby bye, 
You shall be your mother's beau, baby bye; 

Each day through, I love you true. 
And my soul doth cleave to you, baby bye. 

98 



ASLEEP 

I shall love you when I'm old, baby bye, 
And my love shall not grovir cold, baby bye; 

Soft and slow, I rock you so 
To the land of sweet balow, baby bye. 

I shall love you till I die, baby bye, 
You're the light of mother's eye, baby bye; 

Sing ye soft, and sing ye low, 
And 1 love you, that I know, baby bye. 



ASLEEP 



A SLEEP, behold his sweet face smiling! 
Angels are whispering secrets true ; 
With life and love his heart beguiling, 
As sweet and pure as morning dew. 

Asleep, oh, see my rosebud resting. 
My dewdrop crystal fresh and pure, 

My lily-bloom love's power is testing, 
Is making heaven more real and sure. 

Asleep, oh, list his gentle breathing! 

The winds are wafting perfumes rare, 
With bud and bloom his cheeks enwreathing, 

And kissing sunlight in his hair. 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

Asleep, and lo, the Prince of Heaven 
Is crowning his beloved in sleep! 

There are six things He loveth, yea, seven, 
These in thy crovv^n. He giving, keep. 

Asleep, oh love, oh life endearing! 

How rich and sweet to gaze on thee! 
Joy fills my heart at thought of rearing 

This sweet young life God gives to me. 



THE VOICE OF THE TURTLE 

THE MOTHER IN SWITZERLAND, HER BABE 
IN AMERICA 

'T'HE voice of the turtle is heard in the 
^ land, 

The loveliest music afloat, 
The time of its nesting and brooding 's at 
hand, 

Oh, list to its musical note! 
Fly away, fly away, fly away, birdie, 

Swift with a message of love, 
Tell to my dearie that life would be dreary 

Without the soft coo of my dove. 



THE VOICE OF THE TURTLE 

Blow, ye soft winds from the far western 
hills, 

Laden with promise of June, 
Bring o'er the waters a message that thrills. 

All under the silvery moon ! 
Come again, come again, come again, birdie. 

Sing of my own turtle dove. 
Sing of my dearie — I'm weary, I'm weary, 

Oh, comfort my heart with his love! 

The voice of the turtle is heard in the 
land; 

It sings to its own turtle dove, 
"Your feathers are fluffy and pretty and 
soft. 

As soft as the blue up above." 
Fly away, fly away, fly away, birdie, 

Carry my message of love. 
Say to my dearie — I'm weary, I'm weary. 

Sing him the song of the dove. 

Floating and flitting and winging and sing- 
ing, 
Oh, list to the message he brings, 
"Thy love is the nearest and truest and 
dearest 
And sweetest of all pretty things." 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

Come again, come again, come again, 
birdie, 

Sing me that song of my dove, 
Sing of my dearie the song that is cheery. 

Tender and sweet as his love. 



THE NIGHT FERRYMAN 

r^ FERRYMAN, ferryman, vi^hat of the 

^-'^ river? 
The sun has gone down, and the dark- 
ness ensues. 
O ferryman, tell us, are you the good 
giver 
Who takes little children across without 
dues? 

Then ho, for the journey that soon must 
be taken, 
All cuddled up safe in the ferryman's 
boat! 
It's a fine trip to take, and it's hard to 
awaken. 
When slumbering sweet in the best ship 
afloat. 



THE RESTLESS CHILD 

O ferryman, ferryman, what shall betide us. 

Weary worn pilgrims who should be at 

rest? 

O'er the dark waters, O ferryman, guide us! 

Lend us an oar, and we'll give thee our 

best. 

Then ferry us safely across the dark waters, 
There's cloud in the sky and the dark 
creepeth on. 
Then ferry us swiftly as though your own 
daughters 
Were pleading for passage as night sweep - 
eth on. 

O ferryman, ferryman, now we are drifting 
Off to the islands of slumber and peace; 

Gently we float with the tide, and the motion 
Lulleth to rest as our murmurings cease. 



THE RESTLESS CHILD 

TS Sleep a stranger to my dear babe yet. 

Will he not close thine eyes, 
Nor silence haste to seal thy lips, 
While the swift night-time flies? 

103 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

If only some fantastic dream 
Would steal across thy mind, 

Or else some dainty lullaby 
Come to thee on the wind! 

All motion yet? ah, restless child! 

Long since the wild flowers sleep; 
The birds, too, fold their weary wings 

In rest prolonged and deep. 

If only some bright fairy's smile 
Would lull thy wakeful heart; 

If only one would wave his wand, 
The ghosts of sleep to start! 

He sleeps, and from my weary watch, 
With aching head and brain, 

I settle down. Come, gentle sleep. 
Distil thy drops like rain. 



AN ORCHARD NAP 

'T'HE gentle Zephyrs, out one day. 
Kissed soft a little child at play. 
With pearly dew his eyelids filled, 
Which Naiads of the sea distilled. 

104 



A NURSERY LULLABY 

The gentle Nymphs of wood and grove 
Surrounded him and mildly strove, 
The Sunbeams warmed his rosy cheek, 
A Zephyr kissed his forehead meek. 

The Robins filled the air with song; 
The Larks with carols helped along; 
The Breezes wafted sweet perfume 
From every clover top in bloom. 

The Pixie people in the glades 
Dropped shovels, axes, picks and spades. 
To help the Brownies haul a bed 
Of moss and roses for his head. 

The Fairies spun a web of dreams, 
And floated him on silvery streams; 
He soon forgot his work and play. 
And went to sleep just where he lay. 



A NURSERY LULLABY 

^ I ^HE weary doll has closed her eyes. 

And so has sister Sue, 
The soldier lads are fast asleep. 
So you sleep too. 

105 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

The sawdust dog is dreaming now, 
Poor puss has ceased to mew, 

The stuffed giraffe has gone to sleep, 
So you sleep too. 

The woolly lamb is nodding low. 
The silly sheep doze true. 

The old rag doll is wrapt in sleep, 
So you sleep too. 

The rubber duck has ceased to quack, 
The drowsy cow won't moo, 

The big tin top tries hard to sleep, 
So you sleep too. 

The hobby horse is tired out, 
The candy mouse looks blue. 

The Brownies all are lost in sleep, 
So you sleep too. 



A VISIT TO SLEEPY HOLLOW 

I. GETTING READY 

/^OME, put away soldiers and blocks, 

And let down your dear doUie's tresses 
Then off with your gaiters and socks, 
And off with your pretty new dresses. 
1 06 



A VISIT TO SLEEPY HOLLOW 

For each in a dainty white gown, 

With a little church service to follow, 

The children prepare to go down 
To visit the old Sleepy Hollow. 

It lies on an isle in the sea, 

With the waters of Lethe surrounded, 
Where fairies dance daily with glee. 

Where music and mirth are unbounded. 

II. THE START 

The signals say ready to start. 
The whistles are merrily blowing, 

The farewells go straight to one's heart, 
The richest of blessings bestowing. 

As soon as the pilot says go, 

They slip from the sturdy old harbor, 
The sailors begin their heave ho, 

From larboard, and windward, and star- 
board. 

In a dainty white steamer they sail. 

With storm winds and waves it will 
wrestle, 

A jolly good craft in a gale. 

And jolly the crew^ of the vessel. 

107 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

III. THE JOURNEY 

The steamer swings out to the tide, 

Creeps slowly out past the dread narrows, 

The channel grows suddenly wide. 
Then straight as an Indian's arrows. 

Away o'er the billows of sleep, 

How gentle and dreamy the motion! 

The vessel speeds off for the deep, 
The pilot steers straight for the ocean. 

Thus under the stars and the moon. 
And wafted by mild western breezes. 

Their journey is over too soon, 

Each lands from the boat where he 
pleases. 

IV. SLEEPY HOLLOW 

There dwells on the island a man 
Who loves little children most dearly; 

He does for them all that he can, 
And does it both daily and yearly. 

With music and songs, see, he comes. 
To lead them all down to the Hollow; 

With trumpets and dollies and drums, 
The children all eagerly follow. 

io8 



GOING TO BED 



He gives to them marbles and tops, 
Popcorn that is sugared, and candy, 

He gives to them ginger that pops, 
And everything else that is handy. 

V. THE RETURN 

Then back to the ship they are led, 
Each passenger laden w^ith honey, 

On feathers and roses they tread. 

And each with a purse full of money. 

They catch at the incoming tide, 

And back o'er the billovs^s come bounding 

The tales that they tell of the ride 
Are simply and truly astounding. 

Then on go the gaiters and socks. 
And on go the pretty new dresses, 

Then out come the soldiers and blocks, 
And up go the dear dollie's tresses. 



GOING TO BED 

'T^HIS is the way to slumber land, 

Slumber land, slumber land, 
This is the way to slumber land, 
When darkness settles down. 

109 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

You make a light on the nursery wall, 
Nursery wall, nursery wall, 

And mother takes you one and all, 
A story sweet to tell. 

You dress yourself in cap and gown, 
Cap and gown, cap and gown. 

You say your prayers without a frown, 
And mother kiss good-night. 

You take your dollie in your arms, 
In your arms, in your arms; 

It drives away all sorts of harms, 
To hold your dollie close. 

Well, when you tumble into bed, 

Into bed, into bed, 
And nestle soft your drowsy head, 

On pillows white and sweet, 

To dreamy fields away you go. 
Away you go, away you go; 

To sleep and dream is good, you know, 
For little boys and girls. 

So that's the way to slumber land, 
To slumber land, to slumber land, 

That's the way to slumber land, 
When darkness settles down. 



A POEM WITH A PURR- PUSS 



A POEM WITH A PURR-PUSS 

A TABBY with two little kits one day 

Was trying to close her eyes; 
She curled herself up in a ring this way, 
And wagged with her ears at the flies. 
But the little cats bothered their poor old 

Tab; 
They blew in her ears, at her tail made a grab, 
Sat down on her head, gave her nose a jab. 
And wakened her with their cries. 

These bothersome kitties were such a tease 

Old Tabbie was quite put out, 
So asked for a dozen or two of fleas, 

To put her two kitties to rout. 
The fleas went to work with a ve vo vum. 
To fleo^ bit ere, itchi and scratchum, 
And did up the job so the kittens said 
"Dumb!" 
And chased their cat tails about. 

The two little pussies at last called quit, 

And forthwith began to cry; 
They said they were tired of being bit. 

And Tabbie exclaimed, "So am I." 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

But they fussed and they teased and they 

tugged at her, 
Till she snuggled them warmly against her 

fur, 
And she purred to her pussies a right good 

purr. 
Till all fell asleep, Oh my! 

Now mother's dear pussie must close her eyes, 
And nestle right down in bed. 

Or mother will call for some bluebottle flies, 
To buzz round her pretty brown head. 

So the puss cuddled down in a nice warm 
place. 

And buried her pretty sweet paddies and face, 

And gave not a ghost of a sign, nor a trace, 
Of aught that was done or said. 



MOON, HIDE YOUR LIGHT 

"IVyJOON, moon, hide your light; 

Sink, sink into night! 
Baby wonders at the skies. 
Baby will not close her eyes; 
Moon, hide your light! 



THE DREAM TREE 

Stars, Stars, cease to shine, 
Soft bright eyes are thine, 
Sealing baby's eyes that weep, 
Soothing her with gentle sleep, 
Stars, cease to shine! 

Moon, stars, now good-night! 
Shed soft silver light. 
Little laddies, slumber deep, 
Bonnie lassies are asleep; 
Moon, stars, good -night! 



THE DREAM TREE 

A WAY on the tops of the high dream 
trees, 
I can see the sweet fruit that they bear, 
In clusters and bunches as big as you please, 
And no one to frighten you there. 

Your mother hath shaken a sweet dream tree 

Full oft for her dearie before, 
And down came a shower of dreams upon 
thee: 

She'll do it yet many times more. 

H 113 



LULLABIES AND SLUMBER SONGS 

While some are as big as a popcorn ball, 
There are others the size of a bead, 

A few are like dollies, some short and some 
tall, 
Exactly the kind that you need. 

They swing from the boughs of a fine 
dream tree ; 
They ripen each day in the year, 
Then tumble right into your lap, don't 
you see, 
Enough and to spare, never fear! 

But mother's wee darling will not be on hand 
To gather the dreams when they fall. 

So rock-a-bye, darling, hie off to that land. 
And mother will hear if you call. 



HUSH-A-BYE 



^ I^HE sun has gone to his couch in the 
west, 

Hush-a-bye, hush-a-bye; 
The flowers have folded their petals to rest, 
The squirrel has gone to his hollow tree nest, 

Hush-a-bye, hush-a-bye. 



HUSH-A-BYE 

Thy father sails out on the sea to-night, 

Hush-a-bye, hush-a-bye; 

While the lights are out in the sleepy town, 

He'll troll all night with the lines let down, 

Hush-a-bye, hush-a-bye. 

The baby will sail in his warm, snug boat, 

Hush-a-bye, hush-a-bye; 
Across the night from the dark to the day. 
From the sunset dusk to the sunrise gay, 
Hush-a-bye, hush-a-bye. 

The bird has its nest on a bough overhead, 
Hush-a-bye, hush-a-bye; 

The squirrel is housed in a hole, as I said; 

But. baby will sleep in a snug little bed, 
Hush-a-bye, hush-a-bye. 



"5 



vl 



Jr: 



JAN 16 1901 






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